Running From Retirement
When most his age are starting to
think retirement, my Dad is starting a new store.
My Dad's the most energetic fascinating man I've
ever known. He isn't much for organization or calculation, given that these are
cherished vices of mine I'm not often comfortable with the style that the
approaches life. In fact, few people are. A lot of that is because my father
is an unbearable optimist and romantic. I don't mean just that he has romantic
notions about life, but that he is so unthwarted by
obstacles.
When most men his age are
starting to wrap things up work-wise, my Father bought a property and moved his
pottery studio onto it. He and my mom are building the worlds most amazing
pottery showroom, complete with coffee and homebaked goods. This morning he
is welding, wiring, pouring cement, and most likely picking fresh flowers for my
mom.
I sort of get scared for my mom
and dad at times. I don't know how they do all of what they do every day. It
would wear me out. And I think the concern is good. But I stayed with some
friends that provided a contrast that has given me new eyes to see what my
parents are up to. For one thing, my friends mom doesn't let her husband do
almost anything. And he does almost nothing. She knows that he won't do a good
job at whatever it is, and he will surely do it in a way that she wouldn't do
anyway. So that's it for him.
On the
other hand, my mom let's my dad try just about anything. And they are equal
partners. They both work super hard and NEVER have I gotten the feeling that
either one of them are forced into the vision of the other.
So there they are working hard on this
little store and loving each other and being risk
takers.
I've been here for a few days
and can honestly say that it isn't safe, it's even better, it's an adventure.
Posted: Fri - July 2, 2004 at 06:49 AM